SATURDAY February 20 (The Vigil of the Second Sunday of Lent) 5:15 PM +BRIAN GRIFFIN (4

th Anniversary Remembrance)

req. by His Wife, Mary Griffin SUNDAY February 21 (The Second Sunday of Lent) 9:15 AM +JOHN UZDARWIN req. by His Daughter, Patricia, & John Pavlik 11:45 AM +DUNCAN ERIC MCCALL (Birthday Remembrance) req. by His Sister, Darlene, & Pat Kennedy MONDAY February 22 (The Chair of St. Peter, the Apostle) 7:30 AM +MARY THERESE SPATARO req. by Tom & Betty McNulty 6:00 PM LENTEN CONFESSION TUESDAY February 23 (St. Polycarp) 7:30 AM +RICHARD BIAMONTE req. by His Family WEDNESDAY February 24 7:30 AM Prayer Service with Distribution of Communion THURSDAY February 25 7:30 AM +ELIZABETH KENNEDY req. by Her Nephew, Pat, & Darlene Kennedy FRIDAY February 26 7:30 AM +ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY (Birthday Remembrance) req. by His Family 7:00 PM STATIONS OF THE CROSS SATURDAY February 27 (The Vigil of the Third Sunday of Lent) 5:15 PM +CAROL LODGE (Birthday Remembrance) req. by The Sargalski Family SUNDAY February 28 (The Third Sunday of Lent) 9:15 AM +MARY SIEVOCIUK req. by Jane & Chester Gurzeda 11:45 AM +LORRAINE MCKENNA req. by Her Children, Jack McKenna & +Rosemary Blozie

Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day

In today’s scriptures we are presented with two dramatic theophanies, or divine encounters. In

our modern world it seems that God’s presence is seldom so spectacular. Yet as we move deeper into this Lenten

season, we may want to seek reassurance of God’s

presence with us. Let us find that reassurance today in our Eucharistic celebrations, and then become agents of God’s

presence for others.

SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH POQUONOCK

Feb. 13th

/Feb. 14th

Weekly Collection....$3,773.55

Fuel Collection….$1,451.61

Thank you for your generosity to and support of Saint Joseph Parish

Please remember the members, loved ones, and friends of our Parish Family who are ill, aged, troubled, or grieving. Pray for their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

TODAY IS THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Saint Joseph Parish 1747 Poquonock Avenue—P. O. Box 253

Poquonock, CT 06064-0253 (860) 688-9566

Fax (860) 683-2225 Pastor: Reverend Robert B. Vargo

Pastor Emeritus: Reverend Robert T. Russo Deacon: Mr. Ronald M. Biamonte

Deacon: Mr. R. Carl Lickwar

Lenten Stations of the Cross

Praying the Stations of the Cross will continue on

Friday, February 26th, at 7:00 PM at Saint

Joseph’s Church.

Lenten Regulations

Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics fourteen years of age and older on Good Friday, and on all the

Fridays of Lent.

Fasting is to be observed on Good Friday by all Catholics who are between the ages of 18 & 59. This means to refrain from eating food between meals and to eat only one full meal. The other two meals should be lighter meals. Liquids are permitted between meals.

Confession Schedule

February 27, 2016 St Gabriel Church 3:15pm March 5, 2016 St Joseph Church 4:30pm March 12, 2016 St Gabriel Church 3:15pm March 19, 2016 St Joseph Church 4:30pm March 19, 2016 St Gabriel Church 3:15pm

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Social Action Corner

Monthly Food Collection The monthly food collection is this weekend. Please bring your donations directly to Father Doherty Hall. Thank you for your continued support! Easter Basket Goody Collection Social Action is sponsoring a collection of Easter basket items to benefit Covent to Care. Small toys, books, crayons, and candy are needed. Please consider purchasing an item or two for this worthy project! The collection will be the week of March 12

th & 13

th.

Meeting Reminder The next Social Action meeting is Monday, March 14

th, at

6 PM in Father Doherty Hall. All are welcome. For more information on how you can participate in Social Action contact Lisa Andersen at 860-688-3474 or Landers403@comcast.net or Sue Claughsey at 860-298-0550 or rnsue51@yahoo.com.

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

Lenten Monday Evening Confessions

The Archdiocese of Hartford is happy to provide weekly Lenten Confessions again this

year, as a way for Catholics to prepare for Easter. Many Catholic Churches in the Archdiocese of Hartford will be open from 6 to 7 PM on Mondays during Lent and will have our priests available to listen to Confessions. The confessions are designed to make it simple for you on your way home from work, or on your way from running errands, to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It’s also a way to welcome those, who have not received the Sacrament in a while, back to the Church to experience God’s forgiveness. Confessions will be held at Saint Joseph Church on February 22

nd, 29

th, March 7

th, 14

th, and 21

st.

Welcome, Archbishop Blair! On Sunday, February 28

th, Archbishop

Leonard Blair will make a pastoral visit to Saint Joseph Parish. The Archbishop will celebrate the 9:15 AM Mass on that Sunday, and afterward join parishioners in Father Doherty Hall for fellowship and refreshments. A pastoral visit is a unique opportunity for the Archbishop and members of the faithful to celebrate Mass, and to engage in conversation with one another. Please mark your calendar and plan to join the Archbishop in the celebration of the Eucharist and to welcome him to our parish. Father Robert B. Vargo

Altar Servers Needed—Both Youth and Adult

Altar Servers assist the Priest during Mass. The major responsibilities of this

ministry include carrying the processional cross and candles, holding the Missal for the priest, assisting in the preparation of the gifts of bread and wine, and the ringing of the bells during the consecration.

We are looking for children and youth who have made their First Holy Communion and are in the 4

th Grade

through high school. We are also looking for young adults and adults who might be interested in serving in this ministry. Training is provided. For more information and to volunteer please see Deacon Ron Biamonte or call the Parish Rectory Office at 860-688-9566.

Cleaning the Church for Archbishop Blair’s Visit

Help is always needed to keep our Church Sanctuary looking clean and welcoming. We are looking for volunteers to help with the personal touches that always make such a difference – dusting, polishing, cleaning, and preparing our Church for Archbishop Blair’s visit.

If you are available on Tuesday, February 23rd

, at 9:30 AM, please contact the Parish Rectory Office at 860-688-9566.

24 Hours for the Lord Our Lenten practice this year calls us to rejoice in God who is rich in mercy. His Holiness, Pope Francis, asks that the whole Church throughout the world, including Hartford, unite on March 4

th-5

th to pray and seek mercy for us and the

world. This worldwide act of prayer is called “24 Hours for the Lord.” For 24 hours, beginning at 5:00 PM on Friday, March 4

th, and continuing until 5:00 PM on Saturday, March

5th, there will be exposition and adoration of the Eucharist

and the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation throughout the world. In the Archdiocese of Hartford this will take place at three parishes: Saint Peter Claver in West Hartford, Resurrection Church in Wallingford, and Saint John’s in Watertown. This initiative needs your involvement. Please come to one of these parishes to pray and unite with the whole world in seeking God’s mercy. Please come and experience the grandeur of God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and place mercy and the center of your life. Please come knowing that when you seek the mercy of God you will surely find it. This is a time, as Pope Francis writes, “to gaze even more attentively on mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives.” May we all continue to be transformed by mercy.

FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Religious Education February 23 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School March 1 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School 3 Practice for Confirmation at 6:30 PM at Saint Gabriel Church – All Candidates must attend 5 Sacrament of Confirmation at 10:30 AM at Saint Gabriel Church 8 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School 15 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School 22 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School 29 Religious Education Classes at Saint Gabriel School April 5 Last Religious Education Classes for the 2015/2016 School Year 5 2

nd Grade Parent Meeting at Saint Gabriel School at

6:00 PM 19 Practice for First Communion at 5:45 to 6:45 PM in the Church 24 First Communion Parent & Child Day 12:45 - 3:15 PM in Father Doherty Hall 26 Practice for First Communion at 5:45 to 6:45 PM in the Church Children’s Bulletins – Parents: Religious Education Students in grades K - 5 will receive a bulletin each week during Lent that contains pictures to color, games, puzzles and Bible verses that will help you introduce and talk about the Biblical witnesses of Christ’s passion. Bulletins will be available at the Church entrances for children who are not in the Religious Education Program. C2 Students – All C2 students and their sponsors will gather at Saint Gabriel Church at 6:30 PM on Thursday, March 3

rd,

for Confirmation practice. All Confirmation Candidates must attend.

This is my beloved Son, hear him. Take some time to hear the beloved Son speaking to you. What does he say? Is he asking you to follow him by service as a priest, deacon, brother, or sister?

Call Father Jeffrey Gubbiotti, the Director of Vocations, Archdiocesan Center at Saint Thomas Seminary, via phone 860-242-5573, email at vocations@aohct.org or visit the web at www.vocationshartford.org.

A Family Perspective-Jesus “went up the mountain to pray” and he was “changed.” Prayer has the power to change us. This Lent set aside a few minutes each day to pray for members of your family. Pray before each meal and if you are married, spend

five minutes in prayer together. ~Bud Ozar

FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Ministry Message

Saint Joseph Parish Bible Study Series will meet on Tuesday, February 23

rd, from 6:30 PM to 8 PM

in Father Doherty Hall.

“Do You Believe” The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy

This program will meet on Wednesday, February 24

th from

10:30 AM until 11:30 AM in Father Doherty Hall of Saint Joseph Church.

The Catholic Community of Windsor Locks invites you to attend the second in its series of Lenten FOOD & FAITH Evenings at Saint Robert’s Hall (52 S. Elm St.) on February 24

th. “What Every

Christian Needs to Know about End of Life Issues” will be presented by Sister Suzanne Gross, F.S.E., Pro-Life Program Coordinator, Archdiocese of Hartford and Administrator of Franciscan Home and Hospice Care, Meriden, CT. The evening will begin at 6:00 PM with a delicious catered supper. Free will donations appreciated. Registration for the meal is required: by calling 860-623-2943 Paul/Gloria or emailing prayereventswl@aol.com. Presentation is 7:00-8:30 P.M. Walk-ins OK for talks only. All are welcome!

Rosary Makers Ministry will NOT meet on Monday, February 22

nd. Their next meeting is scheduled for

Monday, March 7th

, from 9:30 AM until 11 AM in Father Doherty Hall.

Helping Hands Ministry will meet on Tuesday, February 23

rd, from 9 AM until 12 Noon in Father

Doherty Hall.

Saint Joseph Parish Red Cross Blood Drive

This Monday, February 22

nd, from 1 PM to 6 PM, the Social

Action Committee will be sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive downstairs in Father Doherty Hall. The need is great and the committee is grateful to all those parishioners who have signed up to donors. Please call Peggy Sullivan at 860-614-7919 if you have not signed up as yet but find that you will be able to be a blood donor on Monday. Thank you!

Soup for the Soul Saint Gabriel Adult Education Committee sponsored Soup for the Soul series with Deacon Carl Lickwar will meet on Wednesday, February

24th

, at 6 PM at Saint Gabriel Church in the Church Hall. All are welcome, in addition to this Lenten Program a simple meatless soup supper will be available.